China attempts to scuttle
higher EU tariffs on shoes

Updated Jan. 9, 2006 12:01 a.m. ET

China is sending its top trade negotiator to Brussels this week to stave off an increase in tariffs on Chinese shoes, which European cobblers say are being sold at below production cost. Gao Hucheng will tell European Union officials that higher duties on Chinese shoes will do more to hurt Europe's retail sector than to protect European shoemakers, a Chinese diplomat in Brussels said. European cobblers last summer charged that China and Vietnam are illegally dumping leather, sports and safety shoes on the European market. If the EU confirms the charge, it can impose measures for as long as five years. Brussels wants...